Portugal take pole position

Marseille, June 29 

Two of Europe’s most prolific marksmen go head-to-head as Robert Lewandowski aims to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of landing an international trophy when Poland meet Portugal in a Euro 2016 quarterfinal clash tomorrow.

Ronaldo is just one goal away from European Championship history by matching French legend Michel Platini’s record mark of nine goals in the finals. The Real Madrid star has already become the first player to score in four Euros and broken the competition record for appearances.

At 31 Ronaldo is unlikely to get a better chance for international glory with the winners in Marseille facing a semifinal clash against Wales or Belgium.

Despite a double against Hungary that helped Portugal to sneak through the group stage in third place, Ronaldo has yet to catch fire in France. A flat display and post-match rant against Iceland in Portugal’s opener was followed by a missed penalty in a stalemate against Austria.

He was also kept quiet for 117 minutes a dull last 16 clash with Croatia, but his only effort on goal led to the breakthrough as Ricardo Quaresma headed home after Danijel Subasic parried Ronaldo’s effort.

Lucky Portugal 

“We’ll always have a chance. We’ve got the best player in the world — Ronaldo — and the likes of Nani, Quaresma and Joao Mario,” said Portugal defender Jose Fonte.

Portugal were criticised for their negative approach against Croatia as for the first time in Euros history no team had a shot on target during the regulation 90 minutes. However, Fonte insists Fernando Santos’s men don’t care how they play as long as they make the last four.

“If we have to play bad and win, I’ll do it. As a team you want to play good football and win games but sometimes you can’t.”

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny laughed off suggestions that Ronaldo is not in top form, but said he has also been impressed by Bayern Munich’s $38.5 million recruit Renato Sanches after the 18-year-old came off the bench to win Man of the Match award against Croatia.

“Portugal are a great team, they are not just Cristiano Ronaldo and some say he is not playing his best. I would still love to have him in my team,” said Szczesny.

“Besides Cristiano, I am impressed by Renato Sanches. Undoubtedly we have a big task ahead of us on Thursday.”

Lewandowski is yet to find the net in four games in France, but he kept his cool to convert from the spot as Poland progressed to their first major quarterfinal for 34 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Switzerland.

“We are not worried about Robert, not at all,” said Poland assistant boss Hubert Malowiejski. “Of course he felt some pain after that match, but there is not even the slightest bit of doubt he will be ready for Portugal.”— AFP

Poland in Eurozone

• Poland are appearing at their third straight Euro final tournament. 
• They have advanced to the last eight for the first time with two wins and two draws, conceding just once in the process.
• Poland’s greatest moment on the international stage was taking bronze at the 1974 and 1982 FIFA World Cups.
• Robert Lewandowski was the top Polish scorer in qualifying with 13 goals; he has yet to score at these finals.
• Poland netted 33 goals during qualification — two more than the next most prolific country, England.

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Portugal’s run 

• Portugal are competing at their sixth consecutive Euro and their seventh in total. They have never failed to make it through the group stage.
• Portugal’s last five Euro finals fixtures have ended in draws after 90 minutes; four at this competition, plus a 0-0 draw with Spain in the 2012 semifinals.
• Portugal have yet to win in Marseille; at Euro ‘84, they drew 1-1 with Spain at the Stade Vélodrome, and then lost 3-2 to France after extra time in the semis.
• Portugal’s greatest feat is getting to the final of UEFA EURO 2004 on home soil, where they unexpectedly lost 1-0 to Greece.